Witter Bynner

From “Presences”

IN came the moon and covered me with wonder,

Touched me and was near me, and made me very still.

In came a rush of song, raining as from thunder,

Pouring importunate on my window-sill.

I lowered my head, I hid my head, I would not see nor hear—

The bird-song had stricken me, had brought the moon too near.

But when I dared to lift my head, night began to fill

With singing in the darkness. And then the thrush grew still.

And the moon came in, and silence, on my window-sill.